Image Credit: Havariekommando/EPA
Russian Warship Escorts Stateless Tankers Through Baltic Sea, Escalating Maritime Tensions
On June 16, 2025, AIS tracking data confirmed that the Russian Navy’s Steregushchiy-class corvette Boikiy accompanied two stateless, sanctioned oil tankers—Selva (formerly Naxos) and Sierra (formerly Suvorovsky Prospekt)—as they transited through the English Channel en route to Russian ports in the Baltic Sea.
The Selva had recently switched flags, first broadcasting Panamanian registration, then Palau. The Sierra was registered in Malawi after previous ties to São Tomé & Príncipe, Barbados, and Gabon. Both vessels have been sanctioned by the UK, with the Sierra also under EU sanctions.
This operation marks the first documented instance of a Russian warship openly escorting shadow-fleet tankers through European waters, departing from clandestine tactics to overt military protection ― a move maritime analysts describe as a clear "act of deterrence" aimed at testing Western sanctions enforcement.
Finland’s Defense Minister Antti Häkkänen confirmed that military escorts of shadow-fleet vessels in the Gulf of Finland represent "unprecedented" behavior. The escalation follows earlier incidents, including an attempted Estonian boarding of a tanker in May, during which a Russian Su‑35 briefly violated Estonian airspace.
Modern “shadow fleet” tankers—aging, thinly insured vessels registered under flags of convenience—are crucial in evading G7-mandated oil price caps. These vessels often obscure ownership through shell companies and frequent flag changes, creating both regulatory blind spots and environmental risks. The convoy's transit not only demonstrated Russia's commitment to protecting its oil exports but also underscored emerging threats to legal standards and European maritime security.
This naval escort further complicates regional security. Baltic Sea nations and the EU have responded by expanding the shadow-fleet sanctions list to over 350 vessels and calling for coordinated inspections in key waterways. NATO continues to monitor undersea infrastructure, citing rising incidents involving suspicious tanker maneuvers near critical cables.
Russia’s decision to militarily shield sanctioned tankers signals a strategic pivot—more aggressive and overt—challenging Europe's enforcement regimes. European nations must consider enhanced maritime monitoring, legal interpretation of UNCLOS, and readiness for potential military confrontation should NATO countries attempt interdiction. The Boikiy escort may become a precedent, signaling a new phase in hybrid maritime conflict over sanctions and strategic commerce.
